Suryakiran Aerobatic Team Steals the Sky at Wings India 2026

The skies over Begumpet Airport erupted in thunderous applause and awe on Day One of Wings India 2026, as the Suryakiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT) — proudly known as the Ambassadors of the Indian Air Force — delivered a breathtaking aerial spectacle that left spectators spellbound.

Flying their iconic red-and-white Hawk Mk-132 jets, the elite nine-aircraft formation carved the Hyderabad skyline with stunning precision. From elegant loops and adrenaline-pumping barrel rolls to gravity-defying inverted flying and the much-loved DNA manoeuvre, every moment of the display showcased the team’s extraordinary coordination, discipline, and flying mastery.

A Legacy of Excellence in the Skies

Established in 1996, the Suryakiran Aerobatic Team holds the rare distinction of being Asia’s only nine-aircraft aerobatic team and one of the very few of its kind globally. Over nearly three decades, SKAT has performed more than 700 displays across India and represented the Indian Air Force at prestigious international air shows in China, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Singapore, and the UAE, earning global admiration for professionalism and skill.

The team flies Hawk Mk-132 aircraft, license-manufactured in India by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), executing complex manoeuvres in formations where aircraft fly at distances of less than five metres apart — a feat that demands absolute trust and flawless precision.

The Team Behind the Spectacle

The Suryakiran team comprises 14 highly trained pilots, led by Group Captain Ajay Dasarathi, a Su-30 MKI pilot. He is ably supported by Deputy Leader Group Captain Sidhesh Kartik.
The accomplished pilot lineup includes:

Wing Commander Jasdeep Singh, Squadron Leader Sanjesh Singh, Squadron Leader Rahul Singh, Wing Commander Ankit Vashisth, Squadron Leader Vishnu, Squadron Leader Diwakar Sharma, Squadron Leader Gaurav Patel, Squadron Leader Edward Prince, Squadron Leader Lalit Verma, Wing Commander Rajesh Kajla, and Wing Commander Tejeshwar Singh.

Behind the scenes, the team’s technical excellence is ensured by Wing Commander Abhimanyu Tyagi, supported by Wing Coordinator Sandeep Dhayal and Flight Lieutenant Manil Sharma. The performance is brought alive for audiences by the team’s commentator and administrator, Flight Lieutenant Kanwal Sandhu

All members live by the team’s inspiring motto — “Sadaiva Sarvottam” (Always the Best) — a philosophy clearly reflected in every manoeuvre they perform.

Tricolour Pride in the Sky

Adding a powerful visual and emotional dimension to the display is a recent indigenous upgrade to the Hawk Mk-132 aircraft — the integration of smoke pods capable of producing coloured smoke. Developed entirely in India at the Indian Air Force’s Base Repair Depot, Nashik, this innovation allows the Suryakiran team to paint the sky in saffron, white, and green, proudly unfurling the Indian Tricolour during their aerial routines.

The enhancement is visually stunning and a strong statement of India’s growing capabilities in aerospace engineering and self-reliance